DOCSLIB.ORG

A Lexicon of Alchemy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

A Lexicon of Alchemy by Martin Rulandus the Elder Translated by Arthur E. Waite John M. Watkins London 1893 / 1964 (250 Copies) A Lexicon of Alchemy or Alchemical Dictionary Containing a full and plain explanation of all obscure words, Hermetic subjects, and arcane phrases of Paracelsus. by Martin Rulandus Philosopher, Doctor, and Private Physician to the August Person of the Emperor. [With the Privilege of His majesty the Emperor for the space of ten years] By the care and expense of Zachariah Palthenus, Bookseller, in the Free Republic of Frankfurt. 1612 PREFACE To the Most Reverend and Most Serene Prince and Lord, The Lord Henry JULIUS, Bishop of Halberstadt, Duke of Brunswick, and Burgrave of Luna; His Lordship’s mos devout and humble servant wishes Health and Peace. In the deep considerations of the Hermetic and Paracelsian writings, that has well-nigh come to pass which of old overtook the Sons of Shem at the building of the Tower of Babel. For these, carried away by vainglory, with audacious foolhardiness to rear up a vast pile into heaven, so to secure unto themselves an immortal name, but, disordered by a confusion and multiplicity of barbarous tongues, were ingloriously forced. In like manner, the searchers of Hermetic works, deterred by the obscurity of the terms which are met with in so many places, and by the difficulty of interpreting the hieroglyphs, hold the most noble art in contempt; while others, desiring to penetrate by main force into the mysteries of the terms and subjects, endeavour to tear away the concealed truth from the folds of its coverings, but bestow all their trouble in vain, and have only the reward of the children of Shem for their incredible pain and labour. Unto both these classes I wish to come forward with help, that they may not only seek more diligently into the writings of the Hermetists, but that they may understand them better, and that in this manner the divine Art of Alchemy may be more successfully taken in hand. For which reason I have concluded to publish this Lexicon of Alchemy, formerly compiled, and enlarged and completed since by me. Which also I would dedicate to one who shines over all princes, not only in knowledge of the learned languages and more celebrated arts, but also daily shows himself, by his singular industry and skilful hand, most intelligent and studious in the Art of Chemistry. Whence I have justly brought this trivial work to be consecrated by your patronage, well knowing that it will receive no small increase of reputation from the greatness of your erudition and from your illustrious name; and as in some way a monument of most humble reverence, it shall stand forth to its own greater adornment and preservation in the future. Fare thou well, most serene and learned lord, and hold me and mine as committed unto thy care. With humblest deference, Your respectful Servant, MARTINUS RULANDUS, Doctor. A LEXICON OF ALCHEMY by MARTINUS RULANDUS, PHILOSOPHER AND PHYSICIAN. A A A AABAM, ABARTAMEN, ACCIB, AIARAZAT --- are all Hermetic equivalents for lead. See Plumbum and Saturn.Other equivalents in use were the Scape-Goat, the Dual Chibor, Draiccium, Elevator, Araxat, Alusa, Ruba, Alech, Allonoch, Alabrig, Alokot, Armic, Amioch, Amitich, Araxat, Azoro, Balamba, Cartistilium, Koal, Molybdos, Mosquet dei, Molibra, Mosider, Rasas, Rasasa, Rolos, Roe, Rocli. All these are technical terms, which in themselves have no meaning, but which were used to signify Lead. ABACUS --- A counting-board, table or tray, etc. ABACUS MAJOR --- A larger table, etc. ABESAMUM --- The mire or grease which accumulates on the axle of a wheel. ABESUM --- Unslaked lime. ABESS --- is the same as Rebis, to wit, the last matter of the nutriments which are absorbed by the body; that is to say, it is the excrement of the bowels. ABESTUS --- Albesten, Abesten, and Morago, are Hermetic names for Asbestos. ABICUM --- A cover. ABLATIO --- A separation by means of the superior part. It is performed after several manners. In the dry region, where there is less specific gravity, such cleansing can be effected by the hare's foot or like agents. Sometimes we accomplish separation with a feather, with small knives, spatulas, etc. At other times, we purge in a narrow bag, with twigs, and with wooden, iron, and bristly substances. ABLUTION --- is exaltation by means of successive lustrations, washing away the impure refuse, and reducing the matter to a pure state. It is also called Imbibition and Cohobation, or digestion. ABLUVIEN --- Cleansing. ABNELEITEM --- is Alum; also called Asfor. ABOIT, or ABIT --- is White Lead. The same thing is signified by Alkarad, Almachabar, and Alsiden. ABRIC, KIBRIT, and KIBUZ --- are names of Sulphur. ACACIA FERREA --- An iron spoon. ACAHI --- is Alum-water; called also Fefcol. ACAID --- is Vinegar, or sour substances. ACALAI --- is Salt; called also Alet. ACAMECH, or ACEMECH --- is the scoria or refuse of Silver. ACARTUM --- is Cinnabar or Red Lead; called also Azemasor. ACATO --- is Soot; called also Araxos. ACAZDI --- is Jupiter, or Tin; called also Alkain and Alomba. ACCATU --- is Tinsel; called also Aurichalcum, properly Orichalcum, which is the brass of the ancients. Accatem signifies the same. ACCORDINA --- is Indian tutty; called also Alcordine. ACETABULUS --- A vessel for vinegar, or a cup-shaped vessel, holding as much as would an eggshell. ACETUM --- Vinegar. ACETUM AMINEUM --- White vinegar. Acetum also signifies sour wine, and in this sense Acetum Amineum would be sour white wine, wine of Aminaea, which was distinguished for vine culture. ACETUM PHILOSOPHORUM --- is Philosophical Vinegar, that is, Virgin's Milk, or Mercurial Water, in which metals are dissolved. One of its Hermetic names was Sophic Hydor. According to Theophrastus, the Philosophical Vinegar is the Chemist's Vitriol-water, but the Turba states that it is the water of mercury which dissolves gold. Others affirm that Philosophical Vinegar is that which is made from fresh shells of tortoises by sublimation and distillation. ACETUM RADICALE --- is Radical Vinegar, or Vinegar distilled from its proper radix or matrix. It is also called dissolvent water. ACETUM RADICATUM --- or Radicated Vinegar signifies in some authors that most sharp liquor of vinegar which remains at the bottom of the retort, after the phlegmatic part has been evaporated. It is made by distillation in the retort out of the crystals of the dregs of vinegar. Or good vinegar, made from wine, may be placed in a retort, distilled gently by a moist heat, often poured back upon its caput mortuum, and dissolved in dung, after which it must be finally distilled, when that which is left may be taken and liquefied in a strong fire. The result is radicated vinegar. ACHATES --- The Agate, first found in Sicily, near the river of that name, and afterwards in other localities, as testifies Pliny, 1. 37 c. 10. There are various species, each bearing separate names: Jaspachates, Ceradhates, Sardachates, Haemachates, Leucachates, Dendrachates, the veins of which are like unto minute trees; Autachates, which, when burnt, gives forth fragrance of myrrh; Coralloachates, distinguished by a golden speckling, after the manner of the sapphire; this variety is found in Crete. Agates are a safeguard against the bite of the spider, and eagles carry them to their nests to defend their fledglings against venomous animals. They allay thirst and strengthen sight. Concerning the rest, consult Pliny in the place cited, who also relates that various impressions of figures appear in agates; in some, for example, may be seen rivers, woods, cattle, beasts of burden, herds, war-chariots, minute statues, and the furniture or ornaments of horses. In particular, he relates (1. 37, c. 1) how Pyrrhus had an agate gem in which could be seen Apollo and the nine Muses, with their insignias. I myself have beheld a gem belonging to a nobleman, which, however, was not a true agate, but when the blemishes had been dispersed, it exhibited a rustic and a complete plough. I found also another at Albion Silicem, near the gate of Tangra, wherein appeared the likeness of a wolf or a lion, near a half-rose, so clearly cut by nature as though the work had been done by a jeweller. Most credible truly are those things of Pliny when writing of the impressions upon this kind of stone. ACIES--- Steel. ACORTINUS --- A lupine, wolf's-bean, or horse-bean. ACSUO --- is Red Coral. ACUREB --- Glass. ACUS --- A needle. ACUSTA --- Saltpetre. ADAMAS --- in Arabic Subedhig, in Latin Adamas (Pliny, 1. 37, c. 4), the diamond, which is found both apart from gold and in gold, contrary to the opinion of the ancients, who knew it only as native in gold among the metals of Aethiopia. But for the better understanding of this subject, observe the ensuing scheme, which we have elaborated out of Pliny in part, and in part from other authorities. Not found in gold, and of this there are two species. The Indian diamond, not having its birth in gold, is known by its translucid crystal colour and sex- angular sides; it is either cone-shaped at one end or else it has the form of a lozenge; it is sometimes as large as a hazel. This species is said by Serapion to approximate to the colour of Sal Ammoniac. The Arabian diamond, likewise not found in gold, is smaller than the preceding. Native in the most Perfect Gold. I. The Greek stone called Cenchron, because it is the size of a millet seed. II. Macedonian; generated in gold of Philippi; like the seed of cucumber in size. III. Cyprian; found in Cyprus; approaching brass in colour; most efficacious in healing. IV. Having the splendour of iron sideritis (that is, according to Pliny, a precious stone; according to others it is loadstone ; and again it is the plant ironwort); surpassing the others in weight, but differing from them in nature; can be broken by blows, and pierced by another diamond.
Recommended publications
  • Chinaberry, Pride-Of-India Include Tool Handles, Cabinets, Furniture, and Cigar Boxes

    Chinaberry, Pride-Of-India Include Tool Handles, Cabinets, Furniture, and Cigar Boxes

    Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced) Chinaberry, pride-of-India include tool handles, cabinets, furniture, and cigar boxes. It has not been used in Hawaii. Melia azedarach L. Extensively planted around the world for ornament and shade. This attractive tree is easily propagated from Mahogany family (Meliaceae) seeds, cuttings, and sprouts from stumps. It grows rap- Post-Cook introduction idly but is short-lived, and the brittle limbs are easily broken by the wind. Chinaberry, or pride-of-India, is a popular ornamental This species is poisonous, at least in some pans, and tree planted for its showy cluster of pale purplish five- has insecticidal properties. Leaves and dried fruits have parted spreading flowers and for the shade of its dense been used to protect stored clothing and other articles dark green foliage. It is further characterized by the bi- against insects. Various pans of the tree, including fruits, pinnate leaves with long-pointed saw-toothed leaflets flowers, leaves, bark, and roots, have been employed and pungent odor when crushed, and by the clusters of medicinally in different countries. The berries are toxic nearly round golden yellow poisonous berries conspicu- to animals and have killed pigs, though cattle and birds ous when leafless. reportedly eat the fruits. An oil suitable for illumination Small to medium-sized deciduous tree often becom- was extracted experimentally from the berries. The hard, ing 20–50 ft (6–15 m) tall and 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m) in angular, bony centers of the fruits, when removed by trunk diameter, with crowded, abruptly spreading boiling are dyed and strung as beads.
  • Alchemical Culture and Poetry in Early Modern England

    Alchemical Culture and Poetry in Early Modern England

    Alchemical culture and poetry in early modern England PHILIP BALL Nature, 4–6 Crinan Street, London N1 9XW, UK There is a longstanding tradition of using alchemical imagery in poetry. It first flourished at the end of the sixteenth century, when the status of alchemy itself was revitalised in European society. Here I explain the reasons for this resurgence of the Hermetic arts, and explore how it was manifested in English culture and in particular in the literary and poetic works of the time. In 1652 the English scholar Elias Ashmole published a collection of alchemical texts called Theatrum Chymicum Britannicum, comprising ‘Several Poeticall Pieces of Our Most Famous English Philosophers’. Among the ‘chemical philosophers’ represented in the volume were the fifteenth-century alchemists Sir George Ripley and Thomas Norton – savants who, Ashmole complained, were renowned on the European continent but unduly neglected in their native country. Ashmole trained in law, but through his (second) marriage to a rich widow twenty years his senior he acquired the private means to indulge at his leisure a scholarly passion for alchemy and astrology. A Royalist by inclination, he had been forced to leave his London home during the English Civil War and had taken refuge in Oxford, the stronghold of Charles I’s forces. In 1677 he donated his impressive collection of antiquities to the University of Oxford, and the building constructed to house them became the Ashmolean, the first public museum in England. Ashmole returned to London after the civil war and began to compile the Theatrum, which was intended initially as a two-volume work.
  • Circle Reverse Osmosis System

    Circle Reverse Osmosis System

    CIRCLE REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM KEY FEATURES Water Saving Technology – Patented technology eliminates backpressure The RC100 conforms to common in conventional RO systems making the Circle up to 10 times more NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and efficient than existing products. 58 for the reduction of Saves You Money – Conventional RO systems waste up to 24 gallons of Aesthetic Chlorine, Taste water per every 1 gallon of filtered water produced. The Circle only wastes and Odor, Cyst, VOCs, an average of 2.1 gallons of water per 1 gallon of filtered water produced, Fluoride, Pentavalent Arsenic, Barium, Radium 226/228, Cadmium, Hexavalent saving you water and money over the life of the product!. Chromium, Trivalent Chromium, Lead, RO Filter Auto Flushing – Significantly extends life of RO filter. Copper, Selenium and TDS as verified Chrome Faucet Included – With integrated LED filter change indicator. and substantiated by test data. The RC100 conforms to NSF/ANSI 372 for Space Saving Compact Design – Integrated rapid refill tank means more low lead compliance. space under the sink. SPECIFICATIONS Product Name H2O+ Circle Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System Model / SKU RC100 Installation Undercounter Sediment Filter, Pre-Carbon Plus Filter, Post Carbon Block Filter (RF-20): 6 months Filters & Lifespan RO Membrane Filter (RF-40): 24 months Tank Capacity 6 Liters (refills fully in less than one hour) Dimensions 9.25” (W) x 16.5” (H) x 13.75” (D) Net weight 14.6 lbs Min/Max Operating Pressure 40 psi – 120 psi (275Kpa – 827Kpa) Min/Max Water Feed Temp 41º F – 95º F (5º C – 35º C) Faucet Flow Rate 0.26 – 0.37 gallons per minute (gpm) at incoming water pressure of 20–100 psi Rated Service Flow 0.07 gallons per minute (gpm) Warranty One Year Warranty PO Box 470085, San Francisco CA, 94147–0085 brondell.com 888-542-3355.
  • Sedimentation and Clarification Sedimentation Is the Next Step in Conventional Filtration Plants

    Sedimentation and Clarification Sedimentation Is the Next Step in Conventional Filtration Plants

    Sedimentation and Clarification Sedimentation is the next step in conventional filtration plants. (Direct filtration plants omit this step.) The purpose of sedimentation is to enhance the filtration process by removing particulates. Sedimentation is the process by which suspended particles are removed from the water by means of gravity or separation. In the sedimentation process, the water passes through a relatively quiet and still basin. In these conditions, the floc particles settle to the bottom of the basin, while “clear” water passes out of the basin over an effluent baffle or weir. Figure 7-5 illustrates a typical rectangular sedimentation basin. The solids collect on the basin bottom and are removed by a mechanical “sludge collection” device. As shown in Figure 7-6, the sludge collection device scrapes the solids (sludge) to a collection point within the basin from which it is pumped to disposal or to a sludge treatment process. Sedimentation involves one or more basins, called “clarifiers.” Clarifiers are relatively large open tanks that are either circular or rectangular in shape. In properly designed clarifiers, the velocity of the water is reduced so that gravity is the predominant force acting on the water/solids suspension. The key factor in this process is speed. The rate at which a floc particle drops out of the water has to be faster than the rate at which the water flows from the tank’s inlet or slow mix end to its outlet or filtration end. The difference in specific gravity between the water and the particles causes the particles to settle to the bottom of the basin.
  • Outline of Angiosperm Phylogeny

    Outline of Angiosperm Phylogeny

    Outline of angiosperm phylogeny: orders, families, and representative genera with emphasis on Oregon native plants Priscilla Spears December 2013 The following listing gives an introduction to the phylogenetic classification of the flowering plants that has emerged in recent decades, and which is based on nucleic acid sequences as well as morphological and developmental data. This listing emphasizes temperate families of the Northern Hemisphere and is meant as an overview with examples of Oregon native plants. It includes many exotic genera that are grown in Oregon as ornamentals plus other plants of interest worldwide. The genera that are Oregon natives are printed in a blue font. Genera that are exotics are shown in black, however genera in blue may also contain non-native species. Names separated by a slash are alternatives or else the nomenclature is in flux. When several genera have the same common name, the names are separated by commas. The order of the family names is from the linear listing of families in the APG III report. For further information, see the references on the last page. Basal Angiosperms (ANITA grade) Amborellales Amborellaceae, sole family, the earliest branch of flowering plants, a shrub native to New Caledonia – Amborella Nymphaeales Hydatellaceae – aquatics from Australasia, previously classified as a grass Cabombaceae (water shield – Brasenia, fanwort – Cabomba) Nymphaeaceae (water lilies – Nymphaea; pond lilies – Nuphar) Austrobaileyales Schisandraceae (wild sarsaparilla, star vine – Schisandra; Japanese
  • Floral Anatomy and Embryology of Cipadessa Baccifera Miq

    Floral Anatomy and Embryology of Cipadessa Baccifera Miq

    FLORAL ANATOMY AND EMBRYOLOGY OF CIPADESSA BACCIFERA MIQ. Department of Botany, Andhra University, Waltaii* (Received for pubJication on September 16, 1957) T hb family Meliaceae comprises 50 genera and 800 species (Lawrence, 1951). Tt is included in the order Geraniales by Bentham and Hooker (1862-1893) and Engler and Diels (1936). Rendle (1938) includes the family in his Rutales along with Simaroubaceje, Burseracea: and Rutacese- It is the only family in the Meliales of Hutchinson (1926) Our knowledge of floral anatomy in the family is meagre. Saunders (1937) made a study of Melia azadcrach. The flowers are hypogynous, isomerous with the floral parts arranged in six whorls. Sepals have commissural marginal veins. Traces for the stamens arise independently from the main stele. Dorsal carpellary traces are lack­ ing. Ventrais continue into the style. Recently Nair (1956 a) studied the placentation in Melia azadirachta (Azadirachta indica) and con­ cluded that the placentation is parietal on the basis of vascular ana- The embryological work done in the family till 1930 was summa­ rised by Schnarf (1931). Since then the important work in the family is by Wiger (1935) who studied 40 species, distributed in 13 genera. More recently Garudamma (1956 and 1957) has studied the embryology ot Melia azadirachta and Nair (1956 6) studied the development of endosperm in three species. The embryological features may be sum- The anther structure shows an epidermis and 4-5 wall layers. The hypodermal wall layer develops into the fibrous endothecium in the mature anther. The tapetum is of the secretory type. The tapetal cells ultimately become 2-4 nucleate.
  • Becoming Christian: Personhood and Moral Cosmology in Acholi South

    Becoming Christian: Personhood and Moral Cosmology in Acholi South

    Becoming Christian: Personhood and Moral Cosmology in Acholi South Sudan Ryan Joseph O’Byrne Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Department of Anthropology, University College London (UCL) September, 2016 1 DECLARATION I, Ryan Joseph O’Byrne, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where material has been derived from other sources I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. Ryan Joseph O’Byrne, 21 September 2016 2 ABSTRACT This thesis examines contemporary entanglements between two cosmo-ontological systems within one African community. The first system is the indigenous cosmology of the Acholi community of Pajok, South Sudan; the other is the world religion of evangelical Protestantism. Christianity has been in the region around 100 years, and although the current religious field represents a significant shift from earlier compositions, the continuing effects of colonial and early missionary encounters have had significant impact. This thesis seeks to understand the cosmological transformations involved in all these encounters. This thesis provides the first in-depth account of South Sudanese Acholi – a group almost entirely absent from the ethnographic record. However, its largest contributions come through wider theoretical and ethnographic insights gained in attending to local Acholi cosmological, ontological, and experiential orientations. These contributions are: firstly, the connection of Melanesian ideas of agency and personhood to Africa, demonstrating not only the relational nature of Acholi personhood but an understanding of agency acknowledging nonhuman actors; secondly, a demonstration of the primarily relational nature of local personhood whereby Acholi and evangelical persons and relations are similarly structured; and thirdly, an argument that, in South Sudan, both systems are ultimately about how people organise the moral fabric of their society.
  • Introduction: the Nation and the Spectral Wandering Jew

    Introduction: the Nation and the Spectral Wandering Jew

    Notes Introduction: The Nation and the Spectral Wandering Jew 1. According to legend, Christ was driven from Ahasuerus's doorstep where he stopped to rest. In response to the jew's action of striking him while shouting, 'Walk faster!', Christ replied, 'I go, but you will walk until I come again!' (Anderson, Legend: 11). By way of this curse, Christ figuratively transferred his burdensome cross to the jew. 2. As Hyam Maccoby explains, 'One of the strongest beliefs of medieval Christians was that the Second Coming of Christ could not take place until the Jews were con­ verted to Christianity. (Marvell's "till the conversion of the jews" means simply "till the millennium".) The Jews, therefore, had to be preserved; otherwise the Second Coming could not take place' (239). According to Michael Ragussis, British conversionist societies justified their activities by claiming to 'aid in this divine plan, and with a kind of reverse logic their establishment was viewed as a sign of the proximity of the Second Coming' (Figures: 5). 3. Roger of Wendover's Flores historiarwn and Matthew Paris's Chrmzica majora from . the early thirteenth century provide all of the details of the legend, but the transgressor in their versions is Pilate's doorkeeper, a Roman named Cartaphilus, and not a Jew (Anderson, Legend 16-21). \Vhile in certain Italian versions of this tale the accursed wanderer is a Jew (19), he is not described as Jewish in the British legend until the early seventeenth century. The conjunction between the entry of this legend and Jews into England is in keeping with N.J.
  • Verse and Transmutation History of Science and Medicine Library

    Verse and Transmutation History of Science and Medicine Library

    Verse and Transmutation History of Science and Medicine Library VOLUME 42 Medieval and Early Modern Science Editors J.M.M.H. Thijssen, Radboud University Nijmegen C.H. Lüthy, Radboud University Nijmegen Editorial Consultants Joël Biard, University of Tours Simo Knuuttila, University of Helsinki Jürgen Renn, Max-Planck-Institute for the History of Science Theo Verbeek, University of Utrecht VOLUME 21 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/hsml Verse and Transmutation A Corpus of Middle English Alchemical Poetry (Critical Editions and Studies) By Anke Timmermann LEIDEN • BOSTON 2013 On the cover: Oswald Croll, La Royalle Chymie (Lyons: Pierre Drobet, 1627). Title page (detail). Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library, Chemical Heritage Foundation. Photo by James R. Voelkel. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Timmermann, Anke. Verse and transmutation : a corpus of Middle English alchemical poetry (critical editions and studies) / by Anke Timmermann. pages cm. – (History of Science and Medicine Library ; Volume 42) (Medieval and Early Modern Science ; Volume 21) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-90-04-25484-8 (hardback : acid-free paper) – ISBN 978-90-04-25483-1 (e-book) 1. Alchemy–Sources. 2. Manuscripts, English (Middle) I. Title. QD26.T63 2013 540.1'12–dc23 2013027820 This publication has been typeset in the multilingual “Brill” typeface. With over 5,100 characters covering Latin, IPA, Greek, and Cyrillic, this typeface is especially suitable for use in the humanities. For more information, please see www.brill.com/brill-typeface. ISSN 1872-0684 ISBN 978-90-04-25484-8 (hardback) ISBN 978-90-04-25483-1 (e-book) Copyright 2013 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
  • Alchemy Ancient and Modern

    Alchemy Ancient and Modern

    PLATE I. EFFIGIES HlPJ^SELCr JWEDlCI PORTRAIT OF PARACELSUS [Frontispiece ALCHEMY : ANCIENT AND MODERN BEING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ALCHEMISTIC DOC- TRINES, AND THEIR RELATIONS, TO MYSTICISM ON THE ONE HAND, AND TO RECENT DISCOVERIES IN HAND TOGETHER PHYSICAL SCIENCE ON THE OTHER ; WITH SOME PARTICULARS REGARDING THE LIVES AND TEACHINGS OF THE MOST NOTED ALCHEMISTS BY H. STANLEY REDGROVE, B.Sc. (Lond.), F.C.S. AUTHOR OF "ON THE CALCULATION OF THERMO-CHEMICAL CONSTANTS," " MATTER, SPIRIT AND THE COSMOS," ETC, WITH 16 FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS SECOND AND REVISED EDITION LONDON WILLIAM RIDER & SON, LTD. 8 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G. 4 1922 First published . IQH Second Edition . , . 1922 PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION IT is exceedingly gratifying to me that a second edition of this book should be called for. But still more welcome is the change in the attitude of the educated world towards the old-time alchemists and their theories which has taken place during the past few years. The theory of the origin of Alchemy put forward in I has led to considerable discussion but Chapter ; whilst this theory has met with general acceptance, some of its earlier critics took it as implying far more than is actually the case* As a result of further research my conviction of its truth has become more fully confirmed, and in my recent work entitled " Bygone Beliefs (Rider, 1920), under the title of The Quest of the Philosophers Stone," I have found it possible to adduce further evidence in this connec tion. At the same time, whilst I became increasingly convinced that the main alchemistic hypotheses were drawn from the domain of mystical theology and applied to physics and chemistry by way of analogy, it also became evident to me that the crude physiology of bygone ages and remnants of the old phallic faith formed a further and subsidiary source of alchemistic theory.
  • Alchemy Rediscovered and Restored

    Alchemy Rediscovered and Restored

    ALCHEMY REDISCOVERED AND RESTORED BY ARCHIBALD COCKREN WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXTRACTION OF THE SEED OF METALS AND THE PREPARATION OF THE MEDICINAL ELIXIR ACCORDING TO THE PRACTICE OF THE HERMETIC ART AND OF THE ALKAHEST OF THE PHILOSOPHER TO MRS. MEYER SASSOON PHILADELPHIA, DAVID MCKAY ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 1941 Alchemy Rediscovered And Restored By Archibald Cockren. This web edition created and published by Global Grey 2013. GLOBAL GREY NOTHING BUT E-BOOKS TABLE OF CONTENTS THE SMARAGDINE TABLES OF HERMES TRISMEGISTUS FOREWORD PART I. HISTORICAL CHAPTER I. BEGINNINGS OF ALCHEMY CHAPTER II. EARLY EUROPEAN ALCHEMISTS CHAPTER III. THE STORY OF NICHOLAS FLAMEL CHAPTER IV. BASIL VALENTINE CHAPTER V. PARACELSUS CHAPTER VI. ALCHEMY IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES CHAPTER VII. ENGLISH ALCHEMISTS CHAPTER VIII. THE COMTE DE ST. GERMAIN PART II. THEORETICAL CHAPTER I. THE SEED OF METALS CHAPTER II. THE SPIRIT OF MERCURY CHAPTER III. THE QUINTESSENCE (I) THE QUINTESSENCE. (II) CHAPTER IV. THE QUINTESSENCE IN DAILY LIFE PART III CHAPTER I. THE MEDICINE FROM METALS CHAPTER II. PRACTICAL CONCLUSION 'AUREUS,' OR THE GOLDEN TRACTATE SECTION I SECTION II SECTION III SECTION IV SECTION V SECTION VI SECTION VII THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION OF HERMES 1 Alchemy Rediscovered And Restored By Archibald Cockren THE SMARAGDINE TABLES OF HERMES TRISMEGISTUS said to be found in the Valley of Ebron, after the Flood. 1. I speak not fiction, but what is certain and most true. 2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below for performing the miracle of one thing.
  • Remarks Upon Alchemy and the Alchemists

    Remarks Upon Alchemy and the Alchemists

    Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Research Library, The Getty Research Institute http://www.archive.org/details/remarksuponalcheOOhitc NEW THOUGTIT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION' No. REMARKS ALCHEMY AND THE ALCHEMISTS, INDICATIXG A METHOD OF DISCOVEKI^'G THE TEUE NATURE OF HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY; A^D SHOWING THAT THE SEARCH AFTER HAD NOT FOR ITS OBJECT THE DISCOVERY OF AN AGENT FOR THE TRANSMUTATION OF METALS. BEING ALSO AS ATTEMPT TO RESCUE FROM UNDESERVED OPPROBRIUM THE REPUTATION OF A CLASS OF EXTEAORDIXARY THINKEES IN PAST AGES. ' Man shall not live by bread alone." BOSTON: CROSBY, NICHOLS, AND COMPANY, 111 Washington Street. 1857. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by Crosby, Nichols, and Company, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. cambsidge: metcalf and company, printers to the tjnrversitt. NE¥/ THOUGHT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION No. PEEFACE. ED.W. PARKER, L ittle Ruc k, Ark. It may seem superfluous in the author of the fol- lowing remarks to disclaim the purpose of re vivino- the study of Alchemy, or the method of teaching adopted by the Alchemists. Alchemical works stand related to moral and intellectual geography, some- what as the skeletons of ichthyosauri and plesio- sauri are related to geology. They are skeletons of thought in past ages. It is chiefly from this point of view that the writer of the following pages submits his opinions upon Alchemy to the public. He is convinced that the character of the Alchemists, and the object of their study, have been almost universally misconceived ; and as a matter of fact^ though of the past, he thinks it of sufficient importance to take a step in the right direction for developing the true nature of the studies of that extraordinary class of thinkers.